Illegal Pakistanis in perspective
I FAILED to understand why there is this uproar from the media and politicians in Pakistan about the checking of documents of Pakistanis illegally staying in the US. Every country has the right to safeguard its territory and population from suspected elements. Thus, we are not justified both legally and morally in forcing the US to pay heed to our desires/ demands simply because Pakistan is a front-line state in the America-led war on terror.
The question is, why are we criticizing the US government for taking on illegal Pakistani immigrants while we have not objected to the recent deportation of hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis by the Gulf countries?
The Indian government is also considering deporting about 12,000 Pakistanis illegally staying in the country. East Asian and South East Asian countries, too, have deported our nationals in thousands. I fear that if this process continues, Pakistani professionals may face similar treatment.
The fact is that the world is now afraid of us. In the 60s and 70s, Pakistan gave its best economists, professors, engineers and scientists to the US. Generally, Pakistanis were respected by Americans then. But in the 80s, we started exporting Ramzis, Kansis, Abu Zubaydas and Abu Hamzas.
Now whom should we blame for this change of heart? Our past policies, which were ostensibly discarded after the 9/11 incidents, caused an irreparable loss to Pakistani expatriates.
Besides, investigations by American intelligence agencies have disclosed that some of those involved in the 9/11 attacks were somehow connected in their training and travelling in Afghanistan via Pakistan, and entered the US in the garb of students. Small wonder that Americans do not trust us any more.
Their intelligence personnel, after interrogating Al Qaeda members, have reached the conclusion that there is a presence of almost two to three scores of sleepers (terrorists presently under hibernation), who may operate in the future.
Today, we are being overwhelmed by the tribal and mediaeval philosophy preached by those who are not aware of the real world. They brainwash millions and millions of uneducated lot and create a siege mentality amongst them.
Our independent writers know where the country is heading to, but either they are confused or are not willing to risk their lives to write on such issues boldly. The bottom line is: unless we put our own house in order, we will be doomed.
KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Karachi
Are our Generals aware?
As a Pakistani I read with great interest the news in the foreign press that the US is developing a microwave bomb. I hope those concerned with Pakistan’s defence are aware of this development.
According to the report, the microwave bomb emits “powerful pulses of energy to destroy enemy electronics, disable communications and block vehicle ignitions,” without hurting people.
The report quoted an American general as saying that the US armed forces will use all such weapons in the war against Iraq. The report says: “Military scientists have long been intrigued by the potential harnessing of microwave technology to paralyze enemy capabilities. The US air force used a related technique to disable Yugoslavian power grids during the Kosovo campaign.
“Since then the research has advanced so rapidly that US officials believe a single microwave device carried by an unmanned aircraft could hit 100 targets with 1,000 pulses of high-intensity energy on a single sortie.”
Pakistan’s concern is obvious. If America possesses these weapons, they will find their way to Israel. In fact, given the nature of the relationship between Israel and America, it is quite possible that the Israelis are already very much in the picture and are part of the scientific team that is jointly developing the microwave bomb.
Once in Israeli hands, the technology, we can rest assured, will reach India sooner than later. What will then be consequences? India then need not worry about Pakistani tanks and jet fighters, or even jeeps and supply vehicles moving, because the microwave bomb blocks ignition. This way, while the enemy’s armoured formations will be moving ahead on land and their air force in the sky, our jets and tanks will be unable to move, because the engines wouldn’t start.
As a citizen I hope our defence scientists and generals are aware of what a powerful weapon it will be in the enemy’s hands. More important, there will be no human casualties. This will give the weapon a moral certificate.
YASIN RIZWAN
Karachi
Dr Ibad and neutrality
EVER since his appointment as governor of Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ibad has been parroting before all and sundry that he is a representative of the President of Pakistan, and will act as such and that he has also resigned from the membership of his political party to demonstrate his neutrality to the people of Sindh.
As regards the criminal cases lodged against him rightly or wrongly a decade ago prior to his running away from the country and seeking political asylum in the UK, he so innocently says that he is not aware of such cases against him.
I wish Dr Ibad had also upheld the dignity and attributes of such a high office — maybe symbolical constitutionally — and informed the people of Sindh that he was, in fact, a nominee of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, and President Musharraf had no choice in his appointment after a long-drawn battle and restraint-free horse-trading in the formation of a government for this province.
SYED IQBAL AHMED
Karachi
Degeneration of civil service
IT refers to Safdar Siddique’s letter, ‘Degeneration of civil service’ (Jan 15).
Mr Siddique has rightly pointed out that the civil service of Pakistan has deteriorated, as unscrupulous elements have entered in it and polluted this premier institution. Its causes should have been identified and solution found long ago.
Candidates are always carefully selected and trained. But not a single department in this country is anywhere near the international standards. Why is it so? Why don’t we see any ray of hope or signs of improvement in any field?
Let us think about it. The results of intermediate examinations are declared in this country simultaneously. Most bright students get admission to institutions of medical sciences, engineering, veterinary, agriculture, defence forces, computer sciences, etc. The left-over go to local degree colleges. Our higher hierarchy is selected out of this left-over stuff.
The ‘brain drain’ has aggravated the process of degradation. Furthermore, there are five to 18 people for the workload of one. Hence, the responsibility of the bad jobs done is distributed in such a manner that it becomes nobody’s responsibility.
Salaries of employees are so meagre that it is almost impossible for them to survive; hence their indulgence in systematic corruption. Ghost schools and ghost health units in the rural areas are common examples.
We must select our future leaders administrators from among the intermediate candidates and give them tough and prolonged training. The small percentage of doctors/engineers/ veterinarians who pass the competitive examination in fact waste their seats which they had occupied in the professional colleges.
The government machinery may be asked to bear minimum needs of the employees and all surplus staff be placed in the surplus pools. They should be paid salary and allowances as admissible under the rules. The employees may be paid so well that they do not need to be corrupt.
MUHAMMAD IQBAL BRULA
Karachi
Population growth & economy
THIS refers Anil Khan Luni’s letter, ‘Rapid population growth rate’ (Jan 12), wherein he discussed the impact of a high rate of population growth on economy. I agree with his point of view, and would like to highlight some more facts about Pakistan’s population and its impact on the economy.
In 1947 Pakistan (West Pakistan till 1971) was the 13th most populous country in the world, with a population of 33 million. The population increased to 46 million with a three per cent growth rate in 1964, 65 million with a growth rate of 3.4 per cent in 1972, 84.3 million with 3.6 per cent growth in 1984 and 130.6 million with 2.6 per cent growth in 1998.
The population has reached to 143 million in 2002. By 2050, the UN projects that Pakistan will be the fourth largest populous country in the world with a population of 346 million. If the present population increases with the same growth rate, it will double in 27 years.
At the time of independence a million people were added every year; today a million people are added every three months. In terms of annual population growth, Pakistan’s population is growing at a significantly higher rate than that of other countries of South Asia.
According to the statements recently made by Federal Finance Advisor Shaukat Aziz and State Bank Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain, about 30 per cent of the total population live below the poverty line. This figure can be decreased to 22 per cent by 2006 if Pakistan achieves an annual growth rate of six per cent.
The rapid population growth is badly affecting the country’s social and economic development, and depleting its natural resources. Our country cannot raise its literacy rate until it makes strategies to control this population explosion.
The Jamali government must take steps to control it. It must start an awareness campaign and inform the people of the adverse impact of the rapidly increasing population on the national resources of the country. A slow growth in the population will generate job opportunities, investment and savings. The choice is ours.
MANSOOR ALI SHAHANI
Karachi
Corporate announcements
EVERY day a number of corporate announcements are received by the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) about declaration of dividends, bonus shares, profit and loss accounts, etc.
Notices regarding these announcements are immediately made available to an internal audio system of the KSE building. Copies of these announcements are immediately circulated among KSE members, and one such copy is kept at the KSE library.
For a general investor it is very difficult to keep track of these announcements unless he visits the KSE building everyday. It will be very convenient for him if corporate results, after announcement, are immediately put on the KSE website. The website www.kse.com.pk does contain an icon of ‘NOTICES’, but no such notices can be accessed on the website. Announcements and corporate results should remain on the website for at least one week.
FAROOQ FAZAL
Karachi
Arthritis drug and the heart
THIS refers to the news item, ‘Arthritis drug helps in heart disease, study finds’ (Jan 14).
This news sends wrong signals to the public at large. The medical profession is aware that COX-2 inhibitors have cardiac side effects that are often fatal, in addition to the properties of aggravating asthma.
Intestinal bleeding is rare but not uncommon, contrary to earlier claims. As a matter of fact, owing to these reactions, patients in the US against the manufacturers of Celebrex have filed numerous lawsuits and the firm has been directed to list these adverse reactions in the package insert.
Our public, however, is unaware of these facts and could easily be misled to use this drug without a prescription in our system, where buying any drug over the counter is a common practice.
The study mentioned in the news item shows results from a clinical trial performed only on 14 patients, a number that is not statistically significant. Though this trial was a placebo-controlled masked cross over study, its results cannot be taken as conclusive and be a basis of any recommendations. In order to make any recommendations the results need to be validated in a larger patient collective in a similar multi-centre trial. It would take years for the findings to be available.
I strongly suggest that similar reports be seriously vetted before publication.
DR ASAD SADICK
Karachi
Appeal to PMA
THE level of pollution in Lahore, Karachi and other Pakistani cities is so high that it poses a serious danger to citizens’ health. Unfortunately, there is no tradition in Pakistan of people using face masks of the kind surgeons wear.
During Haj, pilgrims get those masks at a very low cost. They are of two types: one is of the type that we see our traffic cops wearing; the other is the mask made of cloth. The latter is more convenient and covers the mouth and the nose.
While it is futile to expect that government agencies will reduce, much less eliminate, pollution on our roads, the Pakistan Medical Association can perhaps take the lead and popularize the making and use of such facial masks.
In schools, children should be encouraged to wear them. We see the Chinese using them in winter to stop the spread of flue.
JAMIL ZAKA
Lahore
Pakistan’s squad for World Cup
THIS refers to Brig (Retd) Salahuddin’s article in Dawn of Jan 18. I agree with him on some points.
Shehryar Khan’s knowledge about cricket may not be extensive, as suggested by Mr Salahuddin. However, as a highly distinguished diplomat and a thorough gentleman, he can command respect from all. When players are under stress, as they will be in a tough competition like the World Cup, more than technical help, they will need someone who could lend them comfort and support.
A player when selected to play for his country does not need any coaching in his playing technique though he may need some guidance when the situation in a match is tense. A good manager would perhaps have saved Pakistan in the final of the last World Cup, when the Australians put extreme pressure on them. Shane Warne’s record in the tournament, until then, was very poor but he came back with a bang and completely demoralized Pakistan psychologically and then bowled as he liked.
Shahid Afridi has not scored 50, let alone a century, in any of his previous 20 innings in one-day internationals or Test matches. His fastest century is a thing of the past. Going into history, Imtiaz Ahmad scored an exciting triple century in an important international match in Bombay but he could never repeat that sort of performance in the rest of his career. Saeed Anwar has played some good knocks since his record 194 and can be depended because of his experience, if not anything else.
Just praying will not be enough. Pakistan’s recent performance has been pathetic, and you are judged by only what you do, not by what you are capable of doing. Miracles do happen and we pray they do in the World Cup 2003.
ASHFAQ AHMAD
London
True spirit of Islam
THIS refers to Ken Ellingwood’s article, ‘Museum on Muslim culture is thriving’ (Jan 18).
The plan and project about the establishment of an international museum of Muslim culture is a very good idea. The writer has quoted Emad Al-Turk, the chairman of the Muslim museum, as saying that “we as Muslim Americans listen to the news and hear the stereotypes. We do not have the vehicle to portray the true image of Muslims — the positive contributions of the Muslims.”
It seems that he does not find any other way except establishing a museum to portray the true image of the Muslims. In my view the best way of doing it is to embrace the value of love, respect for other faiths, peace, equality and forgiveness.
QAISAR FEROZ
Karachi
Caring for birds
THE world is in the grip of severe cold. In this biting cold, animals and birds are struck by hunger and misery. It is difficult for them to survive.
We should set up artificial nests and dens to provide food and water for birds and animals so that they need not travel long to cities and towns in search of food.
S . A. SHAHWALI
Lahore
Military government’s performance
THE military regime during its three-year period strengthened feudalism by making feudal lords more powerful through district governments and avoiding electoral reforms to break the influence of feudal politicians.
The government did not make any serious efforts for a crash programme of mass education, nor did it make any attempts to develop our human resources, which were deliberately neglected for over half a century by the feudal-cum-military leadership.
During this period many ‘deals’ were reached between NAB and many military, civil and political personalities who have robbed this country with impunity. In fact, NAB became politically corrupt. This could be ascertained from the fact that the rulers are using it for bargaining in order to come to terms with political rivals.
The way most notorious politicians were exempted from the process of accountability has created doubts about the performance and impartiality of NAB. The claim about the increase in foreign exchange reserves is true but this change is not attributable to any volition or effort on the part of the military government.
This change occurred owing to circumstances that emerged in the wake of the 9/11 incidents, and the result would not have been different had any other government been in power at the time.
According to a latest report of the Asian Development Bank, the rate of poverty increased from 26.6 per cent in the fiscal year 1993 to 32.3 per cent in the fiscal year 1999. During the same period the number of poor people increased by 12 million. During 1999 there was recession in the economy. There was a reduction in development expenditures coupled with drought for the last three years. It is now estimated that poverty has increased as compared to the fiscal year of 1999.
According to an estimate, during the last three years about eight million people have been added to the list of the people living below the poverty line. Our currency was also devalued more than 18 per cent during the last three years alone. The current rate of economic growth is too slow to sustain a population growth rate of 2.3 per cent.
During this period the law and order situation was far from satisfactory. Our leaders did not even deem it necessary to stand up and adopt a politically correct posture on crimes, which struck the very roots of the country.
Pakistan’s exports in 1993-94 were $6,803 million, which recorded a historic rise of $1,300 million and stood at $8,137 million in 1994-95. In 1995-96, exports further rose to $8,707 million, and crossed the target of nine billion dollars in 2000-1.
The present government should pay urgent attention to population management, to motivate and engage people, cultivate political awareness and evolve a sustainable political order. The transformation of the feudal society is the need of the hour.
S. A. KHOKHAR
Lahore